Chapter 12

From the day after the operation began.

Around the Royal Capital Rahator, carriages and carts that had been carelessly wandering around started getting seized by the hundreds daily.

“Stop right there! We need to inspect you. What’s in the cargo?”

“Huh? These are iron ingots to be delivered to a shop near the royal palace—”

“Iron? You mean steel? That’s military supplies! Confiscate it all immediately!”

“What? Since when is there such a law?! We’re all citizens of the same kingdom, don’t do this!!”

“Don’t worry, we’re not just taking it for nothing. We’ll give you a receipt, and you can come back later to get it returned.”

Basic resources and raw materials like iron, copper, and gunpowder were just the beginning.

“Isn’t this road supposed to be for food transport only?”

“Yes. The volume is so large that they made a separate checkpoint for it.”

“Let’s confiscate it and eat it ourselves. We can compensate by extorting the royal family or the nobles.”

“Should we try making alcohol? Rice-based alcohol tastes great.”

“That sounds good. Brew me a strong one later.”

Essential survival foods like flour, rice, and potatoes were also taken.

“What’s this? Why are new recruits coming to the capital?”

“We’re the Eastern Volunteer Corps and their instructors assigned to the newly established Capital Defense Division. Um, where is the training camp?”

“Ah! Volunteers, huh? Come on in, recruits! The Revolutionary Army welcomes passionate warriors like you!”

“Huh? Revolutionary Army? What are you talking about?? And why are you— AHHH—”

Even manpower was being kidnapped.

In addition, spare parts for weapons, luxury items like porcelain and silk ordered by the wealthy, administrative documents sent from the provinces, and more.

Every resource that the capital should have had was intercepted and used frugally.

It was like sucking a tree dry, leaving nothing behind.

Despite starting from a disadvantageous position in this siege, the situation was increasingly turning in our favor.

“Have there been any reports of internal issues yet?”

“No. It seems their control is still holding. Surprisingly, though.”

Of course, knowing that the situation was worsening over time, those holed up in the capital were desperately trying to fight back.

They formed a special assault force by gathering private soldiers from noble families, guards, and remnants of the regular army, launching several surprise attacks.

The most recent attack was just four days ago, on the 20th day since the siege began.

‘Brave warriors of the kingdom, charge at once! Wipe out those despicable traitors!!’

‘Do not fear death! Charge! The goddess protects us! Victory will be ours!!’

That night was unusually dark. Thick clouds covered the moon, making it hard to see even what was right in front of us.

Taking advantage of the limited visibility, the capital’s forces swarmed out and launched a fierce assault on our Revolutionary Army’s main camp.

With nearly 8,000 troops, they attempted a full-scale charge to capture our command in one go.

Unfortunately for them, they didn’t even get close to the main camp and were utterly annihilated.

‘Idiots. What’s the point of a surprise attack if you’re shouting and charging so loudly? Musketeers, load your muskets. Spearmen, kneel and hold your spears forward.’

‘First row, commence volley fire! Let’s teach these capital scum what real combat is!’

We’ve fought so much in the snowy plains of the north that we’re sick of it. Wearing white cloaks and pants, just lying on the ground makes for perfect camouflage, and the terrain is full of natural cover.

In such an environment, what do you think is the most important thing to survive? Awareness.

The enemy’s unusual behavior, subtle changes in the battlefield, slight shifts in their actions.

You need to develop the judgment to deduce conclusions from even the most ambiguous and trivial situational clues. Otherwise, you’ll die.

Not just me, but my subordinates could all die too. All because of one small mistake.

‘To think we’ve been fighting under the command of such fools all this time… It’s really disheartening. Truly.’

From that perspective, the capital’s desperate attempts were the epitome of clumsiness.

They prepared for a surprise attack by reducing daytime guards and cooking dinner for an unusually long time. Isn’t that suspicious?

We prepared just in case, and they fell right into our trap. We simply set up a defensive formation, and they charged right into it, getting slaughtered.

With cannons, mages, and musketeers forming a crossfire, they mindlessly crawled into the kill zone, practically begging to be killed.

We roughly estimated that we took out about 4,000 there.

Combined with losses from previous surprise attacks, it’s at least 7,000 to 8,000.

That’s more than half of the trained combatants in the capital, regardless of their branch or affiliation.

With the remaining forces, there’s no way they can turn the tide. Absolutely not. Unless they have a genius commander like Alexander the Great or Napoleon.

But if they had someone like that, they wouldn’t have tried such a pathetic surprise attack the other day, would they?

“Are we still broadcasting that we’ll offer lenient treatment and guarantee civilian safety if they surrender?”

“Yes! We’re sending people who can use amplification magic to announce it inside the fortress walls daily.”

“Is it having any effect?”

“The public sentiment is definitely wavering, but it’s still not enough…”

“Then keep at it. We must win the masses over to our side.”

We even infiltrated a few spies through the fortress gates left open during the attacks.

Mostly from the intelligence department, they report the current situation in the capital to me daily.

With the fortress’s security weakened, they sneak up at night and throw reports over the walls or shoot them with arrows. Reconnaissance has never been easier.

‘It’s really almost over.’

As the situation unfolded like this, I began to feel that the decisive moment was approaching.

With us monopolizing supplies and the power gap becoming insurmountable, all that’s left for them is surrender or self-destruction.

Even the last remaining hope of reinforcements from outside has now completely stopped.

“General Elan of the 19th Division suggests that we should still be wary of the approaching forces.”

“Those guys? Don’t worry. They might still have the strength to fight, but they’ve lost the will to do so.”

The divisions I disrupted and the forces from the east and west have arrived near the capital, having sorted out their internal conflicts.

However, instead of attacking us, they’ve set up camp two to three days away and are just watching.

It’s like they’re expressing with their whole bodies that they don’t want to get involved in this fight. And they probably don’t.

“Those commanders already know. They know the tide has turned.”

When they arrived at the capital, what they saw was our Revolutionary Army blocking all roads and controlling the supply lines.

They saw the capital’s lifeline being cut off while the high and mighty in the capital couldn’t do anything about it.

What do you think they thought? ‘Ah, the outcome is already decided. Even if we intervene, we won’t gain anything.’ Something like that, right?

“Besides, our cause isn’t just any ordinary cause. If we play our cards right, we could overthrow the state and establish a new dynasty.”

“…Did you want to become king?”

“…No way. I was pushed into this by you guys. I just want to normalize the government. I have no interest in the throne.”

Moreover, if they attack us, the public sentiment inside will be shaken.

There’s bound to be sympathy for comrades unfairly forced to abandon the frontlines. Engaging in a fight would only lower morale.

Even if they were willing to bear such side effects, their treatment after the war would be problematic.

“Anyway, those guys will stay put until everything is over. We just need to reward them appropriately afterward.”

“…I don’t quite understand. Reward? Suddenly?”

The high and mighty in the central government are scum.

Instead of rewarding loyalty, they discard people, shift blame, and force idiotic commands.

They do every despicable thing imaginable.

To give you an idea, it’s on par with the late French monarchy or the late Joseon Dynasty.

Although it wasn’t widely known before, the recent scandal involving the queen’s diamond jewelry has revealed the truth nationwide.

In other words, everyone now knows that even if they risk their lives to defend the capital, all they’ll get in return is blame for not stopping it sooner and having their merits stolen.

“It’s a reward for their implicit cooperation with us. Something like retaining their positions or providing military and material support should suffice.”

So they chose to watch.

By not intervening, they’re subtly sending the message to treat them well later.

They don’t expect to be treated as heroes.

Just clearing them of responsibility and ensuring no disadvantages in their military careers should be enough. If we guarantee their treatment as they wish, they won’t complain.

“Understood. Go back and check on the soldiers. This siege won’t last much longer.”

“Understood.”

* * * * *

After that, we continued to block supplies to the capital and waited patiently.

For about a week.

“Open the gates and storm the royal palace to take control?”

Finally, a defector appeared from within.